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Exhibition vs. Museum — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 8, 2024
Exhibitions are temporary displays of items on a specific theme, while museums are permanent institutions preserving and presenting historical, cultural, or scientific objects.
Exhibition vs. Museum — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Exhibition and Museum

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Key Differences

Exhibitions are organized presentations that temporarily showcase artworks, artifacts, or themes, often for a specific purpose or event. Museums, on the other hand, are institutions that collect, preserve, research, and exhibit objects of historical, cultural, or scientific importance on a more permanent basis.
While exhibitions can take place within museums, galleries, or other venues and are designed to last for a limited time, museums are dedicated spaces that offer a permanent home for collections, hosting various exhibitions over time.
Exhibitions often focus on a particular theme, artist, or period, providing curated experiences that highlight specific narratives or ideas. Museums provide a broader context, offering diverse and comprehensive collections that span various themes and time periods.
The goal of an exhibition is to educate, entertain, or engage the public with a focused subject matter, using thematic displays to convey messages or stories. Museums aim to preserve heritage, educate the public about a wide range of subjects, and provide in-depth insight into their collections.
Exhibitions may charge admission fees or offer free entry, depending on their nature and hosting venue. Museums may have general admission fees, memberships, or free days, offering access to a wider range of exhibits and educational programs.
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Comparison Chart

Nature

Temporary display
Permanent institution

Scope

Specific theme, artist, or period
Diverse collections across themes

Venue

Can occur in various locations
Dedicated spaces

Duration

Limited time
Permanent, with changing exhibitions

Purpose

Educate, entertain, engage on specific topics
Preserve heritage, educate on broad subjects

Compare with Definitions

Exhibition

Can be mobile or digital, adapting to various venues and audiences.
The digital art exhibition allowed remote visitors to explore interactive installations.

Museum

An institution that cares for (conserves) a collection of artifacts and other objects of artistic, cultural, historical, or scientific importance.
The museum's dinosaur bones are popular among visitors of all ages.

Exhibition

A public display of works of art or items of interest, held in an art gallery or museum or at a trade fair.
The photography exhibition showcased rare wildlife photographs.

Museum

Offers a permanent collection that can include a wide range of subjects.
The natural history museum displays specimens from billions of years of Earth's history.

Exhibition

Organized for the purpose of displaying specific items temporarily to the public.
The annual car exhibition attracts enthusiasts from around the world.

Museum

Engages in research, conservation, and education related to its collections.
Researchers at the museum are leading a study on ancient textiles.

Exhibition

Aimed at educating, engaging, or entertaining the audience on particular subjects.
The science exhibition for children sparked curiosity about space.

Museum

Often serves as a cultural hub, hosting events, exhibitions, and lectures.
The museum hosts monthly lectures on art history and cultural topics.

Exhibition

Focuses on a specific theme, artist, or historical period for a limited time.
The exhibition on Ancient Egypt was informative and engaging.

Museum

Provides educational programs, workshops, and activities for the public.
The museum's educational workshops teach children about ancient civilizations.

Exhibition

An exhibition, in the most general sense, is an organized presentation and display of a selection of items. In practice, exhibitions usually occur within a cultural or educational setting such as a museum, art gallery, park, library, exhibition hall, or World's fairs.

Museum

A museum ( mew-ZEE-əm; plural museums or, rarely, musea) is an institution that cares for (conserves) a collection of artifacts and other objects of artistic, cultural, historical, or scientific importance. Many public museums make these items available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary.

Exhibition

The act or an instance of exhibiting.

Museum

A building in which objects of historical, scientific, artistic, or cultural interest are stored and exhibited
The Museum of Modern Art
A museum curator
The museum is noted for its fine fossil collection
It is difficult to avoid the feeling that the city is now a living museum

Exhibition

Something exhibited; an exhibit.

Museum

A building, place, or institution devoted to the acquisition, conservation, study, exhibition, and educational interpretation of objects having scientific, historical, or artistic value.

Exhibition

A large-scale public showing, as of art objects or industrial or agricultural products.

Museum

A building or institution dedicated to the acquisition, conservation, study, exhibition, and educational interpretation of objects having scientific, historical, cultural or artistic value.
Visit the history museum
They're opening a new coin exhibition at the local museum.

Exhibition

Chiefly British A grant given to a scholar by a school or university.

Museum

A repository or a collection of natural, scientific, or literary curiosities, or of works of art.

Exhibition

An instance of exhibiting, or something exhibited.

Museum

A depository for collecting and displaying objects having scientific or historical or artistic value

Exhibition

A large-scale public showing of objects or products.
There was an art exhibition on in the town hall.
A boat exhibition

Exhibition

A public display, intentional or otherwise, generally characterised as negative, a shameful exhibition or a disgusting exhibition

Exhibition

A demonstration of personal skill or feelings.

Exhibition

(UK) A financial award or prize given to a student (who becomes an exhibitioner) by a school or university, usually on the basis of academic merit.

Exhibition

(sports) A game which does not impact the standings for any major cup or competition.

Exhibition

The act of exhibiting for inspection, or of holding forth to view; manifestation; display.

Exhibition

That which is exhibited, held forth, or displayed; also, any public show; a display of works of art, or of feats of skill, or of oratorical or dramatic ability; as, an exhibition of animals; an exhibition of pictures, statues, etc.; an industrial exhibition.

Exhibition

Sustenance; maintenance; allowance, esp. for meat and drink; pension.
What maintenance he from his friends receives,Like exhibition thou shalt have from me.
I have given more exhibitions to scholars, in my days, than to the priests.

Exhibition

The act of administering a remedy.

Exhibition

The act of exhibiting;
A remarkable exhibition of musicianship

Exhibition

A collection of things (goods or works of art etc.) for public display

Common Curiosities

How long do exhibitions last?

Exhibitions can last from a few days to several months, depending on the venue and the nature of the display.

Can museums host exhibitions?

Yes, museums frequently host exhibitions to highlight specific themes, artists, or historical periods from their collections or borrowed items.

How do museums preserve their collections?

Museums use various conservation techniques, controlled environments, and research to preserve their collections for future generations.

How often do museum exhibits change?

Museums may change their exhibits periodically, ranging from a few months to several years, to showcase different parts of their collections or host special exhibitions.

Do exhibitions contribute to a museum's collection?

Exhibitions can sometimes lead to new acquisitions for a museum's collection, either through donations, purchases, or loans that become permanent.

Are all museums public?

While many museums are public institutions, some are privately owned. However, both types aim to educate and engage the public.

Can an exhibition be considered a museum?

No, an exhibition is a temporary event that showcases specific items, while a museum is a permanent institution that houses and exhibits collections.

How can one access digital exhibitions?

Digital exhibitions can be accessed through the websites or digital platforms of museums, galleries, or specific exhibition projects.

Do museums and exhibitions use technology?

Both museums and exhibitions increasingly use technology for interactive displays, digital tours, and enhancing the visitor experience.

What makes an exhibition successful?

A successful exhibition engages and educates its audience, effectively communicates its theme, and leaves a lasting impression on visitors.

Can exhibitions be interactive?

Yes, many exhibitions incorporate interactive elements to engage visitors more deeply with the subject matter.

How are exhibitions curated?

Exhibitions are curated by specialists who select and arrange items to convey a specific theme or narrative, often involving extensive research and planning.

What role do visitors play in exhibitions and museums?

Visitors are essential for bringing exhibitions and museums to life, engaging with the displays, contributing to the institutions' purposes, and spreading knowledge.

Why are museums important to society?

Museums play a crucial role in preserving cultural heritage, educating the public, fostering research, and promoting cultural understanding.

What types of museums exist?

There are many types of museums, including art, history, science, natural history, and specialized museums focusing on specific interests.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza Rafique
Fiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.

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